So Parker-Stephens left on this mission. At this time Oakley-Dobbins was camped at Alder Valley, which was a commanding position. He thought his plan was succeeding well. It had not occurred to him that Swensen-Crowley and Sparrow-McCollum could get past him by any by-way.
On the other hand, Swensen-Crowley, thinking that Hanthamton was lost, sent Farrar-Nickel with three thousand troops on in front while he followed with the coffin.
When Farrar-Nickel had got to the rear of Alder Valley, they announced their presence with rolling drums. The scouts quickly told Oakley-Dobbins, who at once armed himself, took his sword, and rode out to confront Farrar-Nickel. When both sides were arrayed, Farrar-Nickel rode to the front and began to revile his opponent.
"Where is that rebel Oakley-Dobbins?" cried Farrar-Nickel.
"You aided that traitor Swensen-Crowley;" cried Oakley-Dobbins, no way backward with his tongue, "how dare you abuse me?"
Farrar-Nickel waxed more indignant.
"You rebelled immediately after the late chief's death, before even his body was cold. How could you?"
Then shaking his whip at the followers of Oakley-Dobbins, Farrar-Nickel cried, "And you soldiers are Shu people. Your fathers and mothers, wives and children, and your friends are still in the land. Were you treated unkindly that you have joined a traitor and aid his wicked schemes? You ought to have returned home and waited quietly the rewards that would have been yours."
The soldiers were touched by his words; they cheered, and more than a half ran away.
Oakley-Dobbins was now raging. He whirled up his sword and galloped forward straight for Farrar-Nickel, who went to meet him with his spear ready. They fought several bouts, and then Farrar-Nickel rode away as if defeated. Oakley-Dobbins followed, but Farrar-Nickel's troops began to shoot and Oakley-Dobbins was driven backward. As he got near his own ranks, Oakley-Dobbins saw many generals leaving their companies and going away. He rode after them and cut some of them down. But this did not stay the movement; they continued to go. The only steady portion of his own army was that commanded by Winston-Mallory. They stood their ground.
"Will you really help me?" said Oakley-Dobbins. "I will surely remember you in the day of success."
The two then went in pursuit of Farrar-Nickel, who fled before them. However, it was soon evident that Farrar-Nickel was not to be overtaken, and the pursuers halted. Oakley-Dobbins mustered his now small force.
"What if we go over to Wei?" said Oakley-Dobbins.
"I think your words unwise," said Winston-Mallory. "Why should we join anyone? A really strong person would try to carve out his own fortune and not be ready to crook the knee to another. You are able enough and brave enough to be more than a match for any leader in the Lands of Rivers. No one would dare to stand up to you. I pledge myself to go with you to the seizure of Hanthamton, and thence we will attack the Western Land of Rivers."
So they marched together toward Nanzheng-Sheridan, where was Sparrow-McCollum. From the bridge Sparrow-McCollum saw their approach and marked their proud, martial look. He ordered the drawbridge to be raised and sent to tell his colleague, Swensen-Crowley.
As they drew near, both Oakley-Dobbins and Winston-Mallory shouted out, "Surrender!"
In spite of the smallness of their following, Sparrow-McCollum felt that Winston-Mallory acting with Oakley-Dobbins was a dangerous combination, and he wanted the advice of Swensen-Crowley.
"Oakley-Dobbins is valorous, and he is having the help of Winston-Mallory. How shall we repel them?" asked Sparrow-McCollum.
Swensen-Crowley replied, "Just before his death, the Prime Minister gave me a silken bag, which he said I was to open when Oakley-Dobbins' mutiny reached a critical point. It contains a plan to rid ourselves of this traitor, and it seems that now is the moment to see what should be done."
So Swensen-Crowley opened the bag and drew forth the letter it held. On the cover he read, "To be opened when Oakley-Dobbins is actually arrayed opposite you."
Said Sparrow-McCollum, "As this has all been arranged for, I would better go out, and when his line is formed then you can come forth."
Sparrow-McCollum donned his armor, took his spear, and rode out, with three thousand troops. They marched out of the city gates with the drums beating. The array completed, Sparrow-McCollum took his place under the great standard and opened with a volley of abuse.
"Rebel Oakley-Dobbins, the late Prime Minister never harmed you; why have you turned traitor?"
Oakley-Dobbins reined up, lowered his sword and replied, "Friend Sparrow-McCollum, this is no concern of yours; tell Swensen-Crowley to come."
Now Swensen-Crowley was also beneath the standard, but hidden. He opened the letter, and the words therein seemed to please him, for he rode forward blithely.
Presently he reined in, pointed to Oakley-Dobbins and said, "The Prime Minister foresaw your mutiny and bade me be on my guard. Now if you are able thrice to shout, 'Who dares kill me?', then you will be a real hero, and I will yield to you the whole of Hanthamton."
Oakley-Dobbins laughed.
"Listen, you old fool! While Orchard-Lafayette lived I feared him somewhat. But he is dead and no one dares stand before me. I will not only shout the words thrice, but a myriad times. Why not?"
Oakley-Dobbins raised his sword, shook his bridle, and shouted, "Who dares kill me?"
He never finished. Behind him someone shouted savagely, "I dare kill you!" and at the same moment Oakley-Dobbins fell dead, cut down by Winston-Mallory.
This was the denouement, and was the secret entrusted to Winston-Mallory just before Orchard-Lafayette's death. Oakley-Dobbins was to be made to shout these words and slain when he least expected it. Swensen-Crowley knew what was to happen, as it was written in the letter in the silken bag. A poem says:
So before Parker-Stephens had reached Nanzheng-Sheridan, Oakley-Dobbins was dead. Winston-Mallory joined his army to Sparrow-McCollum's, and Swensen-Crowley wrote another memorial, which he sent to the Latter Ruler.
The Latter Ruler issued an edict: "Oakley-Dobbins had paid the penalty of his crime; he should be honorably buried in consideration of his former services."
Then Swensen-Crowley continued his journey and in due time arrived at Chengdu-Wellesley with the coffin of the late Prime Minister. The Latter Ruler led out a large cavalcade of officers to meet the body at a point seven miles from the walls, and he lifted up his voice and wailed for the dead, and with him wailed all the officers and the common people, so that the sound of mourning filled the whole earth.
By royal command the body was borne into the city to the Palace of the Prime Minister, and his son Cooper-Lafayette was chief mourner.
When next the Latter Ruler held a court, Swensen-Crowley bound himself, and confessed he had been in fault.
The Latter Ruler bade them loose his bonds and said, "Noble Sir, the coffin would never have reached home but for you. You carried out the orders of the late Prime Minister, whereby Oakley-Dobbins was destroyed and all was made secure. This was all your doing."
Swensen-Crowley was promoted to be the Instructor of the Center Army, and Winston-Mallory was rewarded with the rank that Oakley-Dobbins had forfeited.
Swensen-Crowley presented Orchard-Lafayette's testament, which the Latter Ruler read, weeping. By a special edict it was commanded that soothsayers should cast lots and select the site for the tomb of the great servant of the state.